School Budget presented to Council
Superintendent explains increases, answers questions
By Elizabeth Prata Salvetti

Gray--In an effort to avoid the contentious budget process the District endured last year, MSAD #15 Superintendent Michael Wood and School Board members have been reaching out to the taxpayers of Gray and New Gloucester to explain the rationale behind this year’s school budget increase of 4.72%.

On April 1, Wood had presented the budget to the New Gloucester Selectmen. Wood attended the Gray Town Council’s April 2 meeting and spend almost a half hour bringing the Council and audience through the reasons for fixed cost increases and explaining the six new initiatives. Wood said that the majority of the increase from last year’s general revenue budget of $15,638,359 to this year’s $16,376,567 was due to contractual wage increase obligations.

The tax impact for a person who owns a $100,000 home in Gray would be $66. For a person who owns a $140,000 home, the increase would be $93.00. One major savings on the Operations side is a new rate from Central Maine Power Company for electricity. Last year, the District spent over $206,000 in electricity costs. This year, they have budgeted $88,000. In addition, Wood said, the State Subsidy "will be an extra $104,000 from what we thought we would be getting."

"Next year, there will be no Raymond students. The new Middle School is completed and those students will be attending their owns school next year." But Wood said that the District is increasing tuition costs slightly and that should make up the difference in revenue loss.
"The budget has six new pieces to the puzzle that make up this District," Wood said. Up for local funding is the program involving the Community Resource Officer, currently held by Maine State Sheriff of the Year Regan Goan. Wood said that "We find the program a great success. He [Goan] is a bridge between the School and the Sheriff’s Department." Goan works in the High School as a police officer and is trusted and beloved by the students there. His position is up for local funding because the three-year grant that paid for his position is finished. The $44,000 would pay not only salary and benefits but the patrol car and other contractual obligations.

Wood explained that the .04 Technology Teacher position helps create electives for High School Students, and the ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) connection at the High School is an interactive television link that allows students to partake of classes at other high schools without leaving G-NG HS. "The only requirement is that we offer one class for every class we take," Wood said. "We’d get $110,000 worth of equipment," he continued, and the infrastructure is already installed, thanks to the National Guard’s work this summer, arranged by MSAD 15 Director of Finance and Operations Brian McDonnell.

Councilor Richard Barter applauded Wood’s efforts to reach out the public and proactively explain the budget. "But," he said, "I am terribly worried about the physical condition of the schools. I was in Pennell Institute today and it’s a mudpath. It’s in terrible shape." He asked if the schools are being maintained appropriately, or will there be a terrible burden and surprise later. "Is another shoe going to drop?" he asked Wood.

Wood replied that "The Middle School, Dunn, and the High School are in excellent condition. I agree that not planning for preventive maintenance presents challenges." Wood said that although the District attempted last year to have a warrant article for capital reserves, it was voted down. He said that there is a 10-year capital maintenance review already in place and the District is building reserves for maintenance eventualities.

Councilor Sue Austin applaud the District’s outreach efforts and thanked the Superintendent for coming. "I commend you for being here," she said. Wood encouraged any citizen to call his office at 657-3335 if they have any further questions.